Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

[Steave]

Nope, many older Grey Market tractors (often Kubota/Zenoh or Yanmar) had counterclockwise PTOs.

Aaron Z

Yep I stand corrected there were a few tractors that had the ccw rotation of the pto. If anybody is interested in a short read: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/owning-operating/149144-pto-runs-counter-clockwise.html

Now after the intermission back to Flail Mowers. :thumbsup:

 

[DavesTractor]

Mott, along with a few other brands, made flails to run off a front PTO where the flail is out front of the tractor. Generally they were on dedicated mowing tractors. This may have began life as a front mount.

 

[Catman8]

Very interesting info guys, much appreciated. This is a pic of my MF 30B, it is 1980's and I have no idea which way the PTO rotates because it not working. Now that I have to rotate all those blades, is now a good time to replace them, I'm just mowing a field, no lawn. I also noticed that the U shaped bracket has a flat side and a side with a curve, do I also need to flip that bracket on the ring. I'm guessing the threads of the bolts need to be facing the back of the cutter blades. Their sure are a lot of mounting holes, I'm hoping the last guy knew which holes to use, because I'm following his selection. Any tips.

 

[IslandTractor]

Those scoops look rusty but otherwise fine. If it were me I'd just put them back and mow the field. A few mowings and the surface rust will be worn off.

 

[powerscol]

Somewhere back in this thread is a picture of you mower rooter with blade placement. I believe it is a spiral pattern, next knife over is one station below. Online you might fins a parts or operator manual too that will show this. While you have them off touch them up as far as sharpness, but dont get the edge hot by grinding too hard. Hope this helps

 

[shaeff]

Those scoops look rusty but otherwise fine. If it were me I'd just put them back and mow the field. A few mowings and the surface rust will be worn off.

Agreed, those are mint compared to my knives and my flail cuts pretty darn good in my field.

 

[Catman8]

Thanks for everyone's help and ideas. Most of the bolts are pretty bad except for the one in the pictures. Is this just a standard carriage bolt that holds the blades on or does it need to be something special, grade 5 or anything like that. There where no lock washers just a bolt and a nut.

 

[Fallon]

Agreed, those are mint compared to my knives and my flail cuts pretty darn good in my field.

I put new knives on my $100 flail as the old ones looked like yours (side slicers though). New knives looked like the old ones within a season. Actually my new knives out at the end of the rotor are noticeably rounded at the end after 2 seasons. Probably should replace em with some of the old ones.

I have yet to see any performance that indicates I should bother sharpening my side slicers.

 

[leonz]

Here is mott 60 and 72 inch manual to get you started.View attachment mott utility 60 & 72.pdf

 

[IslandTractor]

Thanks for everyone's help and ideas. Most of the bolts are pretty bad except for the one in the pictures. Is this just a standard carriage bolt that holds the blades on or does it need to be something special, grade 5 or anything like that. There where no lock washers just a bolt and a nut.

View attachment 500447View attachment 500448

I'd spring for new bolts and nylock nuts. Certainly not grade 8. I don't recall if mine are grade 5 or lower. Never had significant wear on the hanger bolts. Do be careful to get just the right length though. Any threads not protected by the nut will be trashed and
make removal a *****.